From Mont St. Sauveur to Bangkok

I have been completely M.I.A....I feel I have been missing in action in so many ways.  My brain is having a hard time keeping up with all that is going on, especially with the continued sleep deprivation (I am hoping we can sleep train this week and I will start sleeping better!).  So here is what has been going on.  My 20 month old was out of day care for three weeks (which kept me very busy) so we took a trip with our good friends and their daughter who is the same age as my son to Mont St. Sauveur.  We rented a log home cottage on Fiddler Lake in Fiddler Lake Resort.  It was beautiful and relaxing.  I just wish the weather was nicer so that we could have enjoyed the outdoor pool and really felt like we were on vacation.

Here are a few pictures of the resort.

Via Fiddler Lake Resort

Via Fiddler Lake Resort

Via Fiddler Lake Resort

Truly a beautiful location to rent in the summer and winter with family or friends.

For the big news, after coming back from Mont St. Sauveur my husband confirmed he is going to Bangkok for a few months for work and that we will be joining him for part of his trip for a few months as well.  Yes, Bangkok, Thailand...with two babies!  So you can imagine the planning going on in my head.  I have to think of purchasing and packing essentials for all.  We travel quite a bit but this is the most adventurous trip we have taken, especially considering the little ones will be with us.  I have made several lists but getting things done has been challenging.  As you can imagine, it is the worst time of year to shop for summer clothing and swimwear.  Even online stores seem to have a limited selection, if any. So my search continues.  In addition to the shopping and packing, I really would like to familiarize myself with the city and the country and the region.  I have never been to Asia.  Tonight I started reading a bit on Frommers (Frommers is a great site for travel itineraries and information - we always consult the suggested day trip itineraries for each of our trips) and today I purchased this guide book on Thailand.

Via Indigo

I still enjoy paper format reading more than electronic.  I can mark relevant pages and take the book with me on the trip. I hope I can be done with the shopping very soon so I can start planning the fun stuff ... what we will be doing and seeing once we make it to Thailand!!!

So all in all please be patient with me, although I have blogging on my mind daily, I may not have the time to write much in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Baptism Celebration - The Results!

The event was beautiful!!  The highlight - My little guy who was so cute and so into the ceremony for a 3 month old.  I couldn't stop watching his gaze and how focused he was on the priest.  Truly priceless!

All the other details I worked on turned out exactly as I wanted them.  I was truly pleased with the results.

I have Irina Shainski of Sweet Song Cake to thank for the amazing cake.  Not only did it look flawless, it was delicious and an absolute hit with all, even the pickiest ones that usually have a say about the cake.  Isn't the sheep adorable?!  I can't bring myself to throw it out!

The favours were also a hit.  Everyone loved the idea of receiving something useful that would remind them of my little man's special day every time they use it.  Here is how the cutting boards turned out. I loved dealing with Rob at Westboro Signs for the engraving of my son's initials and baptism date on the boards.  And I loved how the thank you cards turned out.  Thank you Concertina Press,

Finally, I had fun putting together the simple centerpieces and I am happy with the end result.

Now that the baptism is over, I feel I have so much time on my hands - hmmm - what to plan next?

Gift for Grandparents - Priceless Memories

Our neighbours are the proud grandparents of a beautiful little girl.  We wanted to get them a little something to congratulate them but their grand daughter lives away so I didn't want to give them something for her not knowing when they will see her next.  I had forgotten about the Memories For My Grandchild book and was glad to see it last week when I was in Chapters. So I picked it up for them.  Yesterday, my neighbour stopped me while I was leaving the house just to tell me how wonderful the gift idea was.  He is so excited to begin filling the book - it was one of the best feedback I have received on a gift.

Basically this book enables grandparents to tell their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to come all about their life, childhood, education, love, marriage, family life, grandparenthood, etc.  I love my grandparents so much, I wish I had a keepsake like this to go through when I miss them!

This is a must gift for every grandparent which will eventually be a priceless gift for the grandchildren.

Via Indigo

Via Indigo

Via Indigo

Baptism Celebration To Do List (continued)

Because I wasn't really looking for a special Godparent gift, it was the easiest thing to find in my baptism celebration preparations. Go figure! Isn't that always the case?  I saw this bookmark on Etsy and it was a "look no more" moment.  I absolutely love it and I will definitely order it for the Godparents, even the ones of my eldest son who got baptized last year.

Via Etsy

I also had the easiest time finding the thank you cards I would like to attach to my favours.  I fell in love with the font and again it was a "look no more" moment.  Seriously though, who finds the tags before deciding on the gift.  The printable was only $0.99 and if I don't use them now, I will find another use for them.

Via Concertina Press

I finally decided on a favour gift to give my guests and I am very excited about my idea.  I wanted a gift that can be used and something meaningful as well.  I decided to go with a small bamboo cutting board engraved with my son's initials and baptism date.   I like the idea of using wood for a religious ceremony...sort of has a humble connotation...plus everyone can use a cutting board, especially a small one and finally the engraving gives it a personal touch and makes it a nice keepsake.

I bought the following cutting boards from Home Sense and Winners:

Via Simply Bamboo

Via Simply Bamboo

This weekend I dropped them off at Westboro Signs in Ottawa and Rob was great.  He really seems to know what he is doing and I can't wait to see the results.  I hope they work out and that he is able to engrave on bamboo.  Once I have the cutting boards back, I will package them nicely with the thank you notes above.  Will share pictures of the final result when ready.  Keeping my fingers crossed that this idea will work out!

For the decor, I'm using this picture to inspire me.  Will post pictures of the final result.

Via Something Borrowed Wedding Blog

It's all coming together!

Discount for Fall shopping at H&M for the kids!

My 3 year old seems to be growing before our eyes and this will mean new duds for Fall! It already seems to be cooling down earlier in the day and so Fall fashion is on my mind. H&M always has great choices for kids. Here are some of my favourites for all ages for boys and girls this season:

Great news for all you mamas out there! 20% on your ENTIRE H&M buy when shopping for the kiddies! Here's the coupon below and the link if you prefer. 

Happy Shopping!

A pillowcase for your sweetheart (or for yourself)!

Our anniversary has come and gone already but I had to post about these adorable and fun pillow cases! They are the sweetest reminder of a couple's love for each other...I think these would make a great budget friendly yet thoughtful anniversary gift!

via Artsy Modern

via Artsy Modern

via Artsy Modern

For the single ladies out there this is very cute & funny! Why not treat yourself! (p.s. this one is on sale for $18!)

via Artsy Modern

The Honest Company - Discount

While Mrs. P was browsing the Style Me Pretty blog (as she regularly does) she came across a discount for the Honest Company products and sent me the link right away.  If you have never browsed the Style Me Pretty blog, you should! (click here) Even if you are not planning your own wedding, the site has some great ideas suitable for other events and hosting.

Getting back to the discount.  A little while back I posted about the eco-friendly, non-toxic products by The Honest Company.   I've had the chance to try most of the products I ordered and I really like them.  I'm even placing another order today.  Style Me Pretty is introducing The Honest Company as one of their advertisers and is offering its readers $10 off a minimum purchase of $40 in Honest products.  Click here for a link to the discount code and its terms.  Hurry...this offer expires August 16, 2013.

Via Style Me Pretty